Opnunarávarp félags- og vinnumarkaðsráðherra í þríhliða samtali í Hörpu um græn umskipti á norrænum vinnumarkaði

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, félags- og vinnumarkaðsráðherra:

Green Transition on the Nordic Labour Market: A Tripartite Dialogue

Dear Nordic friends,

I am deeply honoured to extend a warm welcome to each of you here today at Harpa. 

This event holds significant importance as we gather during the 2023 Icelandic presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for The Nordic Tripartite Dialogue on the Green Transition in the Nordic Labour Market.

The objective of today's proceedings is to activate a tripartite dialogue, fostering mutual understanding and sharing insights on how to address challenges as well as opportunities posed by the green transition within the labour market, a crucial transition that must be just and fair. 

Navigating the shift towards greener economies and societies is undeniably intricate, particularly considering our upbringing during an era marked by unprecedented economic-industrial and technological progress, where environmental considerations were almost never at the forefront or deemed of paramount significance, as they better had been.

However, the times have changed, compelling us to redirect our societies towards green priorities from all aspects. And that also refers to the labour market. 

Achieving success in climate-related matters necessitates a synchronized effort within the labour market, which forms the bedrock upon which our societies are constructed. The labour market is shaped by the people and the collective framework we all have established and endorsed.

Termed as the Nordic labour market model, this approach sees stakeholders convening to set the course and negotiate guidelines. Within the labour market, we possess the means to initiate cohesive responses that guide us towards sustainable and fair paths for the future.

The tripartite dialogue on the just green transition needs in my opinion to concentrate on education, upskilling and reskilling and on various aspects of welfare and social security – all these are crucial pillars to match current and future skills of people with the challenges ahead. 

The green transition in the Nordic countries has to build on knowledge and research, and on finding consensus in solutions that both put the environment and people number one. If we loose the environment, we also loose the foundations for our societies and civilization. It is not more complicated than that. And the dialogue needed is the one we are having here today, and hopefully continuing after this conference. 

Dear participants,

My expectations for today encompass open and fruitful discussions about the just, green transition, and seeking unity in addressing the challenges and opportunities it brings us.

It is my hope that the message emanating from this event will not only resonate individually with employees, governments, or employers but to be collectively considered and applied in our work in the years to come.

The important and good preparation for our tripartite dialogue here today has been a concerted effort, and I extend special gratitude to the Icelandic social partners, the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA), the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASI), the Federation of State and Municipal Employees (BSRB), the Confederation of University Graduated in Iceland (BHM) and the Icelandic Association for local Authorities (SÍS) – for their invaluable contributions. 

In the broader Nordic context, social partners have been very supportive in the lead-up to this dialogue, and my gratitude extends to the Council of Nordic trade Unions (NFS), the Nordic employers organizations, and the Nordic Council of Ministers Secretariat in Copenhagen for their generous contributions.

Now, the journey leading up to this event aimed to establish common principles and key messages aligning governments, employees, and employers.

When formulating this message, we engaged in substantive discussions with representatives from all participating parties present here today. We express our sincere gratitude for the meaningful and constructive dialogue that transpired, resulting in a valuable outcome, a Memorandum of Understanding. 

There are numerous aspects where we find a common ground and share a unified vision. I could mention a few from the MoU: The ILO resolution on just transition from 2015, the importance of social inclusiveness, the mitigation of negative impacts of the green transition. The importance of social dialogue in achieving successful transition, importance of social security and labour related rights, re-skilling and upskilling, and many more. 

The messages and conclusions stemming from our tripartite dialogue will serve as the cornerstone and a significant contribution to the subsequent phases of the green transition within the labour market. Therefore, our work here today matters.

Yesterday, the Nordic labour market ministers met and discussed the next steps for 2025-2030 for Nordic cooperation, and this event is closely connected to that important discussion. In recent years, Nordic cooperation has evolved around three important pillars which are green, competitive, and socially sustainable Nordic Region. Just green transition is at the core of these pillars, and therefore supports the common Nordic Vision for 2030 that the Nordic region becomes the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. 

Now, dear Nordic friends,

There is no one big solution to climate change, loss of biodiversity or other imminent environmental challenges. The race of human kind against time has long time ago started. We are in a hurry, let me emphasize that. We are running out of time. But there are many, countless solutions out there, in the making, and yet to be discovered. These solutions can and will help us winning this race. Because there is no other option. There is no other Planet Earth. 

And Nordic labour market and governments must join forces in fighting environmental degradation, and meeting the goals of a fair, green transition. That is simply our job. That is our duty to current and future generations.

This tripartite dialogue and the MoU is a step towards that end. 

May we have a fruitful discussion here today.